This is what our students are learning to paint this week….class starts up again in a few short weeks. Interested, visit our Paw Prints Store to save your place in class.

Here kitty, kitty!!! Created by Deb Carter.

Cloudy, overcast and the occasional storm passing through Atlanta this afternoon. After a few hours of painting I decided it was time for a walk and play. Get the dogs….who when it rains are so lazy, out we go. It did not take long for them to get in the mood for a little romping. Several “fresh” sticks had fallen last night, something new to sniff and chew on. A few games of kick ball, fetch the stick, fetch the ball and of course fetch the Frisbee. We then took some time to do a little bird watching…lot’s of them visiting the feeder this spring. I then noticed the raccoon looking down upon us….through the leaves. So, I decided it was time to head inside and let her eat a few of the seeds before having to chase her away. So, for the reminder of our Sunday I think we will curl up on the sofa and read, nap before our next big adventure out and about.

The above lovely portrait is what our students are learning to paint this week…interested? Class starts again in May. Visit our Paw Prints Studio Store to reserve your place in our on line class.

The other day was bath day….always fun. Once the warmer weather arrives bath time can occur outdoors…saves my poor aching back. The doggie tub (yep, they have their very own tub which is raised up off the ground and therefore I do not have to bend) was dragged out of the garage….hose was run from inside out the window so I could use luke warm water. Poor Niki had a few fleas….a true sign sprig has arrived.

After re-introducing the “evil” tub to the dogs….all are little skittish and since they have not seen the tub since last summer I thought it best if they practiced getting in and out….for treats of course. Bath time should be relaxing to a dog….it should not have to be a struggle….nor should grooming. Niki was first….brushing/comb and bath/ towel dry….then a nap in the sun. Gemma was up next….brushing/ comb, towel dry….then run around crazy until she too takes up next to Niki in the sun for a nice nap. Last….Rocky….brushing/ comb bath. Then he is force dried (doggie drier) for he has so much fur his under coat would never dry. I tend to brush my dogs almost on a daily basis. On those days I skip a day or two I reallllly kick myself for they mat very quickly….especially Rocky and Niki. Gemma is a low maintenance dog, however since the other two are getting attention she wants her fair share and will actually wait her turn. In other words….she wants to be groomed.

Niki, the smallest is actually the most work. She was before her accident and after now requires special handling. She is very sensitive to touch all along her spine (overly sensitive reflexes). After her spinal injury it seems the nerve endings are crossed wrong now. Her coat must be kept short due to sanitary reasons. She can at times drop her hind end, tail into her urine when she relieves herself….as do we still have to help her completely empty her bladder. Shaving her is also a bit tricky. Just running the clipper down her spine causes her to twitch, pull her hind legs up…I must be very careful. Because of this it can take me days….or weeks to fully groom her. We will do a little and then go back a few days later….poor thing, while she dislikes the process….when it is over she does strut her stuff. Yep, she is indeed a “hot dog!!!!

The photographs were taken early evening…all smelling so very clean….nice shiny coats. Soon after Rocky went and rolled in the red clay….yep, you gotta love a Golden! Be on the look out for those nasty critters….fleas and ticks. Images taken with a Nikon d300.

Would it not be sad if one day we were telling our children stories of what once was.We really have sooo much to loose.

Earth Day 2008, get involved,

Fun, silly, loving and playful!!!

The third and final version….I of course can continue with this for there are sooo many ways to paint a subject…but time to move on to other paintings. This style is of course, to me anyway, the most fun to work on. The wonderful textures you can add….both in digital form and once printed….also, so many choices in printing, transferring, adding more color, splats of paint….the possibilities are really endless.

 We simply adore our furry friends!

Sharing our lives with them is very beneficial. I know in my daily existence they get me away from the PC . We all know sitting in front of the PC for long durations is not very good for us! Working from home is also a bit lonely, you do not have the opportunity to see people….the dogs keep me very busy and saved me from a life of talking to myself….well OK, I still talk to myself but not as much

As with any relationship it does take a bit of work….due to the fact I have three dogs in my pack I must vacuum….allot. Also….mopping the floor is now one of my daily chores, not to mention the fact that I can never wear black again, only colors that hide the fur.  One MUST spend time with them…doing things they like to do….walks, ball tossing, only fair as they are always doing the things you like to do etc. As I have written so many times, you must also train them…they in turn do the same with you. If you think I am exaggerating just think about it….they tell you to feed them, they tell you to rub their butts, they shove toys in your face to get you to play with them…yes indeed, they train their human friends better then most humans I know train them!!!!

Sharing one’s life with a furry friend is a win/win situation and to be honest I cannot imagine my life with out them!

Contact Dee to Commission work or to schedule a photography session.

Just one of those days, so much work to do. About 4:00 look over at the dogs…pretty pitiful….so play time. Grab the camera before heading out. This is a nice little pack, they get along very nicely…although, as in all packs one always wants what the other has. I have watched little Niki go over to Rocky and growl to gt his stick or bone…Gemma and Rocky are a bit more subtle in that they do their best to distract, then steal what they want.

Each one has their most favorite game they like to play…Gemma loves chasing the others, as does she enjoy Frisbee…Rocky loves a tennis ball or two….Niki loves to play kick ball….and of course this involves me running and playing soccer with her. Nice to watch her play….the little dog that could. She can run, since she still has hind end issues due to the spinal injury… when she runs fast it is like a bunny….she hops…but fasssst. In a couple of the images above you will notice that both Gemma and Rocky enjoy resting their heads on Niki…she must be pretty comfy

When photographing your furry friends, do think about telling their story as opposed to just trying to get capture an image. The above is all about the pack, and how they get along and love to play. Only one was “posed” and that was the very first image….very tough on them for it was taken when we first went outside…they wanted to play soooo badly!!! Play, enjoy and get some great photographs.

Break over and back at it for me….I can think of no better way to spend my break times!

Contact Dee to Commission work or to schedule a photography session.

A girl and her dog of course Still very much as works in progress, but it is taking shape very nicely. Also trying to finish up on the Chickadee Painting all the while taking breaks throughout the day trying to get to several projects started and play with the dogs. Very spoiled they are….sun is shining, warmer spring temps here in the Atlanta area…three dogs at back door…..wanting to run, chase butterflies and play, play , play.

Print give away sometime this week….so for those interested stay tuned!!!